The Kings of Fall

By Jeff Johnston, Executive Editor

Rays of sunlight sprout over wooded horizons as a predator stalks silently—unbelievably—over dry November leaves. The bobcat seems to enjoy its prowl on this crisp morning, the first real cold snap after a merciless summer. Its pure mastery of stealth impresses another predator who watches, undetected, from a man-made perch in a colossal white oak. Today the cat's dappled coat is only envied, not coveted, because after two years of obsessive study the man believes the giant buck he calls "The King" to be near. A camo facemask hides his smile as a steady, brisk breeze licks his face. Everything is perfect.

The bobcat is forgotten as background noises sharpen into distinct, heavy crunches. A lifetime of listening tells him it's not the random hop hop hop of a squirrel or the sustained rustle of an armadillo. So sure is the hunter that he rotates his body to the direction of the sound and slides the fore-end of his rifle on the treestand's crossbar as quietly as wool on water. Seconds later he spies the flickering light of legs moving through foliage. His pupils dilate and his heart quickens. Time slows as antlers materialize—the same ones that occupy his trail-cam photos and his dreams. He doesn't need the Nikon dangling from his neck to know it's him. The King has come. A squirrel stops mid-scamper to stare, and a crow ceases its incessant calling as the massive, perfectly figured whitetail buck strides into the freshly fallen crop of acorns that lure him to this dangerous funnel.

Yet 80 yards out, something causes the buck to pause, and he stands with his glorious crown of antlers illuminated by the sun. Steam exits his nostrils and rises in vapory wisps. He stares directly at the hunter for a tribulating minute. The hunter doesn't dare make eye contact, and tries to will his body calm—all the while worrying the buck will sense his quivering muscles that threaten to overcome him. In the heavy brush the buck's vitals remain covered. There is no shot.

The buck tests the wind, but the wind betrays him. Finally the buck lowers his head and continues feeding. The hunter's heart leaps. But then a random tangent of acorns steers the buck steadily away from him and possibly out of his life forever.

In desperation the hunter raises a grunt tube and gives a nervous snort. As if prodded by lightning the buck bolts 20 yards ahead and turns broadside, looking for the fool who's dared entered his kingdom. The move has left his chest exposed and heaving in the sunlight. The hunter presses his face against the smooth stock of his rifle, finds the buck in the scope and slides the Remington's safety forward. He concentrates on one ruffled brown hair deep in the pocket of the noble animal's shoulder, and as the crosshair dances on it, he asks for help in guiding his bullet. He breathes in, and holds it, and that's the last thing he remembers.

Crack goes the rifle on opening day.

Did You Know?

Set up active decoys where you don't want geese to land. Use sleeping and resting decoys to signal the area has been checked out and it's safe enough to drop in and nap.

At this year's Texas Truck Rodeo, the Texas Auto Writers Association named Ram Trucks worthy of delivering true Lone Star State capability. We're proud to announce Ram Trucks roped in some respected awards, including the highly coveted title of Truck of Texas for the 2011 Ram 1500. No small feat in a state that's known for big things—like standards for their trucks.

2011 Ram Outdoorsman: JFull-Size Pickup Truck of Texas. From open range to thick backwoods, Ram Outdoorsman has the off-road capability to take you where ordinary trucks can't. Rugged, all-terrain tires, heavy-duty cooling, enhanced lighting and available RamBox storage with Mopar gun and fishing rod holsters making heading into the sticks more fun than ever.

Like the fossilized skeletons of its ancestors displayed in the Smithsonian, a 12-foot alligator can be scary even when it's dead—something that Shooting Illustrated's Adam Heggenstaller learned in person during a gator hunt in Florida. Read More »

34.4 million

Number of U.S. citizens who participated in informal target shooting on their own property in 2009.

1.3 million

Number of Rifle Shooting merit badges awarded by the Boy Scouts of America from 2006-2010 (earning the badge through use of .22 rifles exclusively is not required to achieve Eagle Scout, yet it is the 12th most popular merit badge earned)

134.5 million

Number of days of U.S. participation in rifle target shooting in 2010

2-3 billion

Number of rimfire cartridges sold each year in America

95.5 million

Number of U.S. adults who would be "extremely" to "somewhat" interested in participating in shooting sports in the future (based on 2010 Harris interactive poll)

462,537

Number of .22-caliber handguns produced in the United States in 2009

fast fact

What's in a name? A lot if it's ruffed grouse—or, in Latin, Bonasa umbellus. "Bonasa" refers to being "good when roasted" and "umbellas," or "sunshade," refers to the umbrella-like ruff of neck feathers the male raises during its courtship display.